FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2017

CONTACT:
McKenna Young
484-385-2913 (office)
[email protected]

Dennis R. Washington Achievement Graduate Scholarships Awarded to Nine Deserving Horatio Alger Association Scholars

The Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation provides grants of up to $120,000 to Horatio Alger Scholars who wish to pursue a post-graduate education in business, engineering, medicine, applied sciences or education

WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 18, 2017) – Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, today announced the nine recipients of the 2017 Dennis R. Washington Achievement Graduate Scholarship. Endowed in 2008 and funded by the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation in partnership with the Horatio Alger Association, this scholarship provides financial assistance to Alumni recipients of Horatio Alger scholarships who aspire to obtain graduate degrees. Through 2016, the program has awarded approximately $4,275,000 in scholarships. In 2017 the nine recipients will each receive up to $120,000.

The Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation was established in 1988 by Dennis Washington, chairman emeritus of Horatio Alger Association, and his wife, Phyllis. Since that time, the Foundation has donated nearly a quarter of a billion dollars to charitable causes. The Foundation, which supports deserving individuals in an effort to better society as a whole, established its Achievement Graduate Scholarship program to provide financial assistance exclusively to Horatio Alger undergraduate scholarship recipients who are committed to obtaining a graduate degree. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate leadership, integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity. They should also exhibit a passion for entrepreneurship and a commitment to community service.

“Dennis and I believe that education plays a key role in an individual’s future success. We are proud to again partner with the Horatio Alger Association – an organization near to both of our hearts – to provide opportunities to students who have not let their adversities define them, or their futures,” said Phyllis Washington, co-founder, the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation and chair of the selection committee for this scholarship. “We are thrilled that these nine incredibly deserving students will be continuing their educational aspirations. They will undoubtedly serve as positive role models and catalysts to shape our communities for the better.”

The following Horatio Alger Scholars will receive up to $120,000 each for a master’s, doctoral or professional degree:

 – Emily Deng, Carnegie Mellon University, Master of Human-Computer Interaction, 2011 California Scholar

 – Austin Kazarian, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine, 2010 National Scholar

 – Danny Linggonegoro, Harvard Medical School, Doctor of Medicine, 2013 Ak-Sar-Ben Scholar

 – Cinjon Resnick, New York University, Doctor of Philosophy – Computer Science, 2006 Florida Scholar

 – Corey Roach, Vanderbilt University, Doctor of Philosophy – Neuroscience, 2009 National Scholar

 – Tahiya Salam, University of California, San Diego, Doctor of Philosophy – Computer Science and Engineering, 2013 New Jersey Scholar

 – Tyler Sonsalla, Louisiana Tech University, Doctor of Philosophy – Molecular Sciences and Nanotechnology, 2010 National Scholar

 – Vivian Tan, Dalhousie University, Doctor of Medicine, 2013 Ontario Scholar

 – Ashley Tomjack, University of Nebraska Omaha, Doctor of Education – Educational Administration, 2005 Nebraska Scholar

Horatio Alger Association was founded in 1947, and since 1984, it has administered one of the nation’s largest privately-funded, need-based scholarship programs. The Association has awarded more than $125 million in undergraduate, graduate and specialized scholarships to students from across the United States (including all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico) and Canada. In 2000, 16 years after the establishment of its National Scholarship Program, Horatio Alger Members began funding scholarships concentrated in each state to further the Association’s mission of helping deserving young people pursue their collegiate goals.

For more information about Horatio Alger Association, please visit www.horatioalger.org. To engage on social media, follow the organization on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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About Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans:
Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. is dedicated to the simple but powerful belief that hard work, honesty and determination can conquer all obstacles. The Association honors the achievements of outstanding leaders who have accomplished remarkable successes in spite of adversity by bestowing upon them the Horatio Alger Award and inducting them as lifetime Members. Horatio Alger Members support promising young people with the resources and confidence needed to overcome adversity in pursuit of their dreams through higher education. Through the generosity of its Members and friends, the Association awards more than $18 million annually in undergraduate and graduate need-based scholarships across the United States and Canada and provides college support and mentoring services to its Scholars. Since 1984, the Association has awarded more than $125 million in college scholarships to more than 25,000 deserving young people. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org.

About Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation:
Founded in 1988, the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation is the major philanthropic organization for The Washington Companies and the Washington family. Funding for the Foundation comes primarily from personal contributions from the Washington Family and profits of The Washington Companies. The Foundation focuses in the areas of education, arts and culture, health and human services, and community service. Since its inception, Foundation giving and the Washington family’s personal contributions and pledges to charitable causes total nearly $250 million. The Foundation website is located at http://www.dpwfoundation.org.